Republican presidential candidates Sen. Ted Cruz and Donald Trump were both asked about immigration and farm labor by Wisconsin dairy farmers during CNN town hall events in that state this week. Jason Vorpahl, who operates a 2800 head dairy farm in Wisconsin, questioned Cruz about the issue. “We offer a competitive wage and offer full benefits to all our employees,” … Read More
NMPF President Addresses Senate About Trade
National Milk Producers Federation told members of a Senate panel the value of a trade agreement is formed not in the negotiations, but in the enforcement of the treaty. Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF, told the Senate Finance committee Thursday that trade is critically important to America’s dairy industry with the implementation of the Uruguay Round and numerous other … Read More
How Will the Election Impact Animal Ag?
The Russell Group, a firm specializing in food and agriculture public relations, will present to the 2016 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit about the effects on animal ag under the administrations of the remaining presidential candidates. The Summit will be themed “Securing Animal Agriculture’s Future: Action, Please!” is being held May 5-6 at the Westin Arlington Gateway in Arlington, Virginia. … Read More
USDA & AFBF Talk TPP
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall got together to discuss the benefit of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) for agriculture as AFBF released an economic analysis of the pending trade agreement. “Until today, we didn’t have a specific documented review or study of that benefit,” said Vilsack, said in thanking Farm Bureau for doing the … Read More
NCBA Urges Swift Action on TPP
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association sent a letter on behalf of its members and state affiliates urging quick passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. NCBA President Tracy Brunner said cattle producers cannot afford to wait any longer for passage of this critical agreement. “The value exports add to U.S. beef is undeniable,” said Brunner. “Asia and the Pacific Rim are extremely … Read More
IDFA Praises Senate Ag Bill on Uniform GMO Labeling
The International Dairy Foods Association has praised legislation proposed by Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts that would create a national uniform standard on biotechnology labeling, and called for urgent action to take up and pass the legislation. “The bill proposed by Chairman Roberts provides a common-sense, national food labeling standard that brings consistency and transparency to the marketplace, and will … Read More
Let's Unite Our Voices
From the time Roger Rickard was 13 years old he was driven by causes and has been politically minded ever since. His experiences along the way lead him to start Voices in Advocacy and write a book, “7 Actions of Highly Effective Advocates.” He brought his expertise to the stage addressing attendees of the 2016 National Young Farmers & Ranchers … Read More
House Ag Committee Holds Hearing On #WOTUS
The House of Representatives Agriculture Committee held a hearing today regarding the impacts of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) actions on the rural economy. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy was the hearing’s sole witness. The hearing showed a continued broad opposition to the controversial “Waters of the United States” Rule (WOTUS), which already is faced with a number of legal challenges … Read More
Cattlemen Committed to Killing WOTUS
As expected, President Obama yesterday vetoed a disapproval resolution passed by Congress that would have nullified the controversial clean water rule by EPA, better known as Waters of the U.S. or WOTUS. “Because this resolution seeks to block the progress represented by this rule and deny businesses and communities the regulatory certainty and clarity needed to invest in projects that … Read More
Animal Ag Testifies at TPP Hearing
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) hosted three days of hearings entitled TPP Agreement: Likely Impact on the U.S. Economy and on Specific Industry Sectors. The goal of the hearings was to gather information for an economic analysis of TPP. Many animal agriculture groups gathered to testify on the pros and cons of the trade agreement. The U.S. Dairy Export … Read More